Educational Means. 181 



Bundesratli, and some are further subdivided into 

 ranges (TJnterforsterei) . These forest districts, from 

 7,500 to 45,000 acres each, are to be managed by prop- 

 erly educated and paid foresters elected by the people. 

 The eligibiLity depends upon an examination, the 

 theoretical part of which is conducted by the forest 

 school, the practical part after a year's practical work is 

 conducted by a commission of foresters, after comple- 

 tion of which the candidate becomes eligible; the dec- 

 tion being for three years, and re-election being xisual, 

 unless there are good reasons against it. 



Tn 1903 there were employed as administrators or 

 managers 119 State foresters and 33 Communal for- 

 esters, besides 11 Federal forest officials. The State for- 

 esters are allowed to manage neighboring communal 

 properties. 



For the education of the higher forest officials the 

 Federal government instituted a two year course at the 

 Polytechnicum at Zurich which was founded in 1855, the 

 course being in 1884 increased to three years. Three 

 professors of forestry besides the faculty of the institu- 

 tion in fundamental and accessory branches are active 

 here, the number of students in 1902 being thirty-five. 



For the education of the lower grade foresters the 

 Cantons themselves are responsible, the Bund only con- 

 tributing by paying for teachers and demonstration ma- 

 terial (about $1,350) to carry on cantonal or intercan- 

 tonal forestry courses. The courses usually last two 

 months, in succession or divided in spring and faU; 

 they are mainly practical and require candidates to be 

 not less than 18 years of age and to possess a primarj' 



